South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney's hit on a Michigan running back is hard to shake. Less noticeable was the way Michigan tackle Taylor Lewan dominated Clowney for most of that Outback Bowl game. Lewan is one of numerous NFL prospects and flat-out stars on the 2013 preseason All-Big Ten team. Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller is as dangerous as they come, Penn State defensive end is a stud and Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland is a tackling machine. (AP Photos)

(Mark Selders/Penn State - Barnes)

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QB: Braxton Miller, Ohio State

If Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel is the Heisman Trophy favorite—and that’s debatable—the man hottest on his heels has to be Ohio State’s Braxton Miller. There is nothing standing in the way of Miller and another spectacular season. He led the Buckeyes to an undefeated regular season in 2012, and did so by using both his great feet and strong arm. In the rivalry game against Michigan, he completed a stunning 77.8 percent of his passes. By season’s end, Miller had passed for 2,039 yards and 15 touchdowns, and rushed for another 1,271. The combined total is now a school record. His only challenge now is improving his accuracy after completing just 58.3 percent of his attempts.(Jay LaPrete/AP)

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RB: Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

Somehow, Ameer Abdullah, from Homewood, Ala., escaped SEC country. It’s not something he talks about, preferring to press forward. After waiting his turn behind oft-injured Rex Burkhead, Abdullah posted 1,137 yards and eight touchdowns last season and could emerge as the best back in the Big Ten this year. He is durable, strong and productive. Against Wisconsin, Abdullah returned five kickoffs for 142 yards, rushed for 70 yards on just 10 carries and had 22 receiving yards. (Dave Weaver/AP)

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RB: Venric Mark, Northwestern

A Sporting News All-America selection as a punt returner, Venric Mark is all of that and then some. He’s devastating on special teams, yes. But the 5-foot-8, 175-pound tailback can be equally effective from the backfield. He carried the ball 226 times last year and rushed for 1,366 yards. That’s a major load for a pretty small guy and after missing three games due to injuries last year, his ability to hold up throughout the year could be the difference between a good season and a great one. (Tony Ding/AP)

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OL: Taylor Lewan, Michigan

Jadeveon Clowney’s hit on Michigan running back Vincent Smith in last year’s Outback Bowl won’t soon be forgotten. What might be, though, is the fact that Clowney was rarely free to have his way because Taylor Lewan had him locked up. Lewan is an elite tackle who’ll be a coveted NFL Draft pick. He’s not surprisingly on the Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List, just one of several watch lists that feature the 6-foot-8, 308-pound left tackle. (Carlos Osorio/AP)

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OL: Spencer Long, Nebraska

Spencer Long has started the last 27 games for Nebraska at right guard. He is one of three returning starters on the offensive line. Last year, he was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection and was an Associated Press second-team All-American. The ‘Huskers led the Big Ten in rushing offense and total offense, thanks in large part to the play of Long. He is a former walk-on who has more than proved why he earned a scholarship before the start of the 2012 season. (Nati Harnik/AP)

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OL: Andrew Norwell, Ohio State

There is no player on the Buckeyes’ team with more starts than Andrew Norwell. He and Jack Mewhort both have 25. Don’t think for a second that quarterback Braxton Miller doesn’t appreciate that. Last year, he was a first-team All-Big Ten selection. Norwell is also well-conditioned; he was in on 827 of Ohio State’s 837 offensive plays. Norwell isn’t hard to point out: according to his bio on the Ohio State website, he hasn’t had a haircut since enrolling at Ohio State in August 2010. (Terry Gilliam/AP)

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OL: Jeremiah Sirles, Nebraska

A versatile tackle and key member of the ‘Huskers offensive line, Jeremiah Stiles helped pave the way for Nebraska to rush for more than 200 yards in 12 games last year. He primarily played right tackle, but the 6-foot-6, 310-pound senior has shown he can switch sides if necessary. (Nati Harnik/AP)

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OL: John Urschel, Penn State

We can talk about John Urschel the football player, and there’s plenty to discuss. But, truthfully, is that more interesting than discussing Urschel the student? His run of 4.0 grade point average semesters is mind-blowing. He is working on his second master’s degree program in mathematics. As for football, Urschel is on the Outland Trophy Watch List. As a guard, he helped pave the way for 1,000-yard rusher, Zach Zwinak. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

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TE: Kyle Carter, Penn State

A Freshman All-America selection in 2012, Kyle Carter is looking to build on that success entering his sophomore season. He was second on the team with 36 catches for 453 yards in 2012. Included in those receptions were six catches of at least 20 yards. He missed three of the Nittany Lions’ final four games due to an injury, but it didn’t prevent him from making a huge impression. Carter is among those on the John Mackey Award Watch List. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

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WR: Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin

Jared Abbrederis averaged 17.1 yards a catch in 2012, bringing in 49 balls for 837 yards. Even though his numbers were down from the previous season, he still managed to become a first-team All-Big Ten selection. That’s because Abbrederis is invaluable. In addition to his receiving yards, he also averaged 10.4 yards a carry on eight attempts and returned 17 punts for 111 yards. (Andy Manis/AP)

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WR: Allen Robinson, Penn State

It’s no surprise to see Allen Robinson on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List. He’s a dynamic and perhaps overlooked receiver. He won’t be any longer. As a true freshman, the 6-foot-3, 211-pound receiver started in 12 games. He finished with 1,013 receiving yards, only the third 1,000-yard receiving season in Penn State history. Robinson is on pace to become the best receiver in Penn State history. He led the Big Ten with 77 catches and 11 touchdown catches. Quietly, he had a year on par with Alabama freshman Amari Cooper. (Keith Srakocic/AP)

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DE: Deion Barnes, Penn State

It’s hard to believe Deion Barnes is just a sophomore. Like his teammate, receiver Allen Robinson, he broke through in a big way as a freshman. A consensus Freshman All-America selection, Barnes started eight games for the Nittany Lions and tied for third in the Big Ten with three forced fumbles. He also collected six sacks and posted 10 tackles for loss. He’s not just a great player for Penn State, but one of the best already in the Big Ten. (Mark Selders/Penn State Athletic Communications)

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DE: Tyler Scott, Northwestern

There were few more disruptive defensive ends in the country than Tyler Scott. He led the Wildcats with nine sacks, which was good enough for second in the Big Ten. Scott is on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. (Stephen Morton/AP)

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DT: Beau Allen, Wisconsin

Beau Allen hit the ground running at Wisconsin and has 41 career games to his name. In fact, he has played in every game since he’s been on campus, and started all 14 last year. His best game of 2012 came against Penn State when he added six tackles to help bring his season total to 37. Allen is on the verge of something big, and it’s likely to happen in 2013.(Michael Conroy/AP)

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DT: Ra'Shade Hageman, Minnesota

Coming off a year in which he finished with 35 tackles and six sacks, Ra’Shede Hageman has lofty expectations for 2013. He’s on the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List and appears on numerous preseason first-team All-Big Ten lists. (Paul Battaglia/AP)

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LB: Chris Borland, Wisconsin

Chris Borland, at 5-foot-11 and 248 pounds, looks powerful but not necessarily like a major college football linebacker. It doesn’t matter. Let his physical appearance fool you, and pay for it. He was a first-team All-Big Ten pick after the 2012 season and is expected to bring just as much to field this year. He closed the book on 2012 with 104 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He also broke up six passes. (Jae C. Hong/AP)

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LB: Anthony Hitchens, Iowa

Anthony Hitchens is drawn to the football. He led the Big Ten and was ranked fifth in the country with an average of 11.2 tackles per game. In all, he tallied 124 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. It was a big jump from 2011 when he contributed 25 tackles. There’s no reason to think that Hitchens’ senior year won’t be a memorable one as he developed into an elite player.(Charlie Neibergall/AP)

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LB: Ryan Shazier, Ohio State

Ryan Shazier is probably a very nice guy. But on the field, he’s a terror. Just ask anyone who has the misfortune of being caught by him behind the line of scrimmage. Shazier, 6-2 and 222 pounds, led the Big Ten with 17 tackles for loss and was second in the conference with 115 total tackles. He also had five sacks, 12 pass breakups and three forced fumbles. There may not be a better linebacker in the Big Ten. (Andy Manis/AP)

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CB: Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State

Darqueze Dennard is entering his third year as the Spartans’ starting cornerback. There’s no substitute for that kind of experience. He tied for the team lead with three interceptions and also broke up 10 passes. Dennard finished the year with a career-high 52 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss. (Darron Cummings/AP)

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CB: Bradley Roby, Ohio State

Bradley Roby could have left early for the NFL Draft but is back for his senior year. He could emerge by season’s end as the best cornerback in college football. A semifinalist for the Thorpe Award in 2012, he led the nation with 19 passes defended—17 pass break-ups and two interceptions. The 17 pass break-ups tied the Ohio State single-season record. One of his interceptions was returned for a touchdown against Nebraska. (Jay LaPrete/AP)

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S: Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern

Ibraheim Campbell likes to have his hands on the ball. It happens a lot. He had a team-high 12 pass breakups in 2012. He started out the year with a tone-setting game against Syracuse. In that contest, Campbell recorded 13 tackles, including 11 solo stops. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

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S: Isaiah Lewis, Michigan State

Isaiah Lewis and cornerback Darqueze Dennard make up perhaps the Big Ten’s toughest secondary. Last year, he had a career-best 80 tackles and brought along two interceptions and six pass break-ups to go along with it. It was indicative of his career, too. Lewis has six interceptions in 40 career games, and has started 27 consecutive games. (Matt York/AP)

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K: Brendan Gibbons, Michigan

Brendan Gibbons made 16-of-18 field goals and was perfect on all 45 extra point attempts. His 13-straight made field goals to end the year was the second-longest streak in Michigan football history behind Remy Hamilton’s 14 straight in 1996. His career-long field goal came against Nebraska when he connected on a 52-yarder. (Dave Martin/AP)

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P: Mike Sadler, Michigan State

Mike Sadler’s 42.4 yards per punt is sixth-best in Michigan State history. Last year, he boosted his career numbers by averaging a league-best 43.3 yards a punt, good enough to make him a first-team All-Big Ten selection. Sadler is on the Ray Guy Award Watch List. (Carlos Osorio/AP)